Decisions (feat. Tim Green, Glenn Zaleski, Rodney Whitaker & Ulysses Owens)

Michael Dease at it again with another brilliant album! This album brought everything to the table, I listened to it for about three hours straight my first night of picking it up. The song "Three and One" famously recorded by Thad Jones was embellished perfectly. Dease's original songs bring a unique blend to the album!

There is something inviting about the way the trombone sounds in Michael Deases's hand. First, one encounters a beautiful tone, which pays homage to to jazz trombone masters Curtis Fuller, JJ Johnson, and in a similar way to Steve Turre and Steve Davis. However, tribute is the word. Mike Dease's sound is all its own- A mixture of Down South funkiness and sensibilities scrambled with a Tabasco sauce of schooled technical virtuosity. Let's face it: this Dude can flat out play! In his hands, the trombone soars past its pre-conceived technical limitations to reward the listener with blasts of musical brilliance. In this CD, Michael combines 6 original compositions with 4 arrangements of other works. The album is full of interesting moments and pays tribute to the tradition of what some call "straight ahead" jazz. Interesting melodies and refreshing performances. Highly recommended!!

This album will unquestionably be one of the highest regarded albums of the twenty first century. The sophistication of the performance and of the compositions is timeless, and there is plenty here for everyone to enjoy, regardless of what your musical taste is. Michael Dease has a masterful command of the trombone, and uses it with the utmost maturity and artistic sensibility. The compositions combine lyrical melodicism, the spirit of adventurousness and taking chances, lighthearted playfulness, and profound romanticism to create a wonderful and rare experience that is not to be overlooked.

excellent recording. Mike carries on in the style of JJ Johnson!

RUN! Don't walk! ...and purchase this beautiful album. So much good to be said about Michael Dease's performances and about the playing done by the consummate professionals he has working with him here; including the great bass playing from, Rodney Whitaker, who happens to be the head of MSU Jazz Studies! I have listened to the whole album repeatedly since purchasing it and love that Michael's lyrical voice shines throughout via his minimalist approach to the use of vibrato. He has succeeded here in creating a congruous presentation of his vision. Jason's Gonna Get Ya - is the perfect start with a great head nodding groove. Love the rhythmic play in Gorgeous Gwen, the dissonance in Right Place, Wrong Time, Everything Must Change is so sweetly presented, it makes me cry each time, You're My Everything is also such a sweet tune and finally, The Big D...what a great finish ...and word play with the title; leaving us all wondering if it's D for Dease or D for Detroit! Ultimately, this album is a trip worth taking...at any price!